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Melatonin Supplements

Melatonin Problems

November 04, 2024

A recent study found many problems with melatonin supplements for kids. Get the details in the Quality Concerns section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Caution With Melatonin During Labor

October 28, 2024

Taking high doses of melatonin during labor does not help with labor and may adversely affect infants, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Vision?

October 21, 2024

Does taking melatonin slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration? Find out what studies show in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Pistachio Eye Benefits?

October 21, 2024

Did eating pistachios, a natural source of lutein, improve macular pigment density in the retinas of people with low density levels (a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration)? Find out what a recent study showed in the Macular Degeneration section of our Vision Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick lutein and AREDS2 supplements

Also see: Do pistachios provide melatonin?

Melatonin After Surgery?

September 19, 2024

Did taking melatonin improve sleep, reduce pain, or improve shoulder function after rotator cuff surgery? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for MS?

August 08, 2024

Does taking a melatonin supplement improve sleep, reduce fatigue, or have other benefits in people with multiple sclerosis? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Also see: Do any supplements reduce multiple sclerosis symptoms or relapse?

Melatonin & Vision

June 07, 2024

A strong link between melatonin use and lower risk of age-related macular degeneration was shown in a large U.S. study. For details, see the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin & Sleep Apnea

June 04, 2024

Taking melatonin may improve sleep in people with sleep apnea who use CPAP devices according to a recent study. See the details in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin and Restless Legs

May 14, 2024

Melatonin may help some people fall asleep faster, but might it worsen symptoms in people with restless legs syndrome (RLS), which makes sleeping more difficult? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes information about other potential side effects, as well as interactions, with melatonin.

Melatonin After Surgery?

February 27, 2024

Does taking melatonin improve sleep among people who’ve just had surgery? Find out what a recent study showed in the Before and After Medical Procedures section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for MS?

February 16, 2024

Did a single dose of melatonin reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis the next day? Find out what a recent study showed in the Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks.

Melatonin for Brown Patches?

January 23, 2024

Can melatonin lighten brown patches on the face? Find out what a recent study showed in our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin Passes to Infant

December 05, 2023

Abnormal bleeding in a breastfed infant has been attributed to melatonin taken by the mother. Get the details about this and other side effects of melatonin in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Melatonin vs. Exercise

November 17, 2023

Is melatonin or regular exercise more effective at improving sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Menopause?

October 26, 2023

Did melatonin supplementation improve sleep and mood, and reduce hot flashes and other symptoms in women transitioning to menopause? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Reflux?

October 03, 2023

Is it helpful to take melatonin when taking a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) to improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? See what the latest study found in the Other uses section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Also see: Which supplements, foods or diet and lifestyle changes help relieve acid reflux (heartburn), and which worsen it?

Melatonin During Breast Cancer Treatment?

September 26, 2023

Can taking melatonin reduce fatigue or other side effects of breast cancer therapy? Find out what a recent study showed in the Cancer Treatment Side Effects section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin and Blood Sugar Control

August 22, 2023

Melatonin supplements may affect blood sugar control and insulin function in people with type 2 diabetes, according to recent studies. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Pelvic Pain?

June 13, 2023

Does melatonin supplementation decrease pelvic pain in women with endometriosis? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes a study of melatonin for menstrual pain.

Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Loss of Response to Melatonin

May 31, 2023

Some people may experience a “loss of response” to melatonin. Find out what may cause it and what to do if it happens in the ConsumerTips section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Hair?

May 05, 2023

Does applying melatonin to the scalp help prevent hair from falling out? Find out what research suggests in the Other Uses section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Also see our article about supplements for hair.

Melatonin Quality

April 28, 2023

Eighty-eight percent of melatonin gummies didn’t contain their exact, listed amounts of melatonin in a recently published study. Learn more about this in the Quality Concerns section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, and see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements and learn which gummies passed and which failed our tests.

Also see our 2-minute video highlighting three things you need to know about melatonin supplements.

Does Melatonin Improve Cognition?

April 25, 2023

Find out what studies have shown when melatonin has been used by people with Alzheimer’s disease as well as cognitively healthy older people in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin Hangover?

March 03, 2023

Can taking melatonin along with Ambien or Lunesta cause a hangover? Find out what a recent report suggests in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Better Sleep Habits Instead of Melatonin

September 28, 2022

An expert group is encouraging parents to improve sleep habits in children rather than give melatonin, citing potential safety concerns. Get the details in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Vitamin C or Melatonin for COVID?

August 05, 2022

Find out if supplementing with vitamin C or melatonin reduced symptoms in people with mild to moderate COVID in a recent study.

Melatonin for MS?

June 21, 2022

Can taking melatonin help people with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Also see our article about supplements for MS.

Melatonin Poison Reports Jump

June 03, 2022

Reports to poison control centers regarding melatonin ingestion have skyrocketed in recent years among infants, children and adolescents. See the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review for details and other potential safety issues with melatonin.

Melatonin and Urinary Frequency

May 27, 2022

Can melatonin supplementation decrease nighttime urinary frequency in older women? See what a recent study found in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review.

Melatonin to Prevent COVID?

March 01, 2022

Does taking melatonin help prevent COVID-19? Find out what a study found in the COVID-19 section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Also see our article about Supplements for COVID.

Melatonin and Heart Palpitations?

March 01, 2022

Can taking melatonin cause heart palpitations? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for melatonin.

Melatonin & COVID

February 11, 2022

Can supplementing with melatonin help prevent death among people hospitalized with COVID-19? See what a recent study found in the COVID-19 section of our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Also see our answer to the question: Do any supplements help with COVID-19?

Melatonin, Sleep & Nighttime Asthma

January 20, 2022

There is some concern about the use of melatonin among people with nighttime asthma. Get the facts in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Fracture Risk with Melatonin Supplements?

December 02, 2021

This week a newsletter reader asked if taking 3 mg of melatonin every night for sleep can increase the risk of fractures. Get the answer and find out why this is a valid concern in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Melatonin Supplements. Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Does Melatonin Increase Alzheimer’s Risk?

November 17, 2021

My doctor said that melatonin may increase the risk of Alzheimer's as some sleeping pills do. Is this true? See the answer in Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review.

When Melatonin Does or Doesn't Help in Hospitals

November 04, 2021

See the latest research on whether or not melatonin helps people undergoing medical procedures or when hospitalized. Also learn if melatonin has been shown to help with other sleep issues. It's all in our Melatonin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin in Nuts?

November 01, 2021

Do pistachios or other nuts contain significant amounts of melatonin? How does roasting affect the melatonin content in nuts? See what a new study found in the ConsumerTips section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Melatonin and Autism

July 12, 2021

Can melatonin supplementation improve sleep, behavior, or mood in children with autism spectrum disorder? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Melatonin & Weight

June 07, 2021

Can melatonin supplementation improve sleep or reduce weight? See what a new study among nightshift workers found in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin and Cancer

March 18, 2021

Can high-dose melatonin increase survival time or improve symptoms in people with advanced lung cancer? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review.

Also see results of a study in which melatonin was given during breast cancer treatment.

See our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Melatonin After Stroke?

March 05, 2021

Melatonin supplementation may reduce the risk of developing delirium after a stroke, according to a new study. Get the details in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Melatonin for COVID-19?

December 19, 2020

Can melatonin reduce the duration of symptoms in people with COVID-19? Get the details in the COVID-19 section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Anxiety?

December 19, 2020

Can taking melatonin reduce anxiety before surgery? Find out what a recent analysis of studies showed in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Insomnia?

October 30, 2020

Can melatonin help middle-aged men and women with insomnia fall asleep faster or improve sleep quality? Find out what a new study showed in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Lower Dose Melatonin for Children

October 22, 2020

A new report suggests that very low doses of melatonin may be adequate to raise levels in children. For details, see the Dosage section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for low-dose melatonin.

Melatonin and COVID-19

October 19, 2020

Can melatonin supplementation reduce the risk of death in people with severe COVID-19? See what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Better Sleep

October 15, 2020

Can melatonin improve sleep in people hospitalized and receiving intensive care? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Melatonin Supplements Review. Also learn about melatonin for improving sleep with other conditions, and see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Nightshift Workers?

August 28, 2020

Does using melatonin before going to sleep in the morning improve attention and concentration in people working nightshifts? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for Melatonin.

Caution With Melatonin & Diabetes

August 20, 2020

Research is raising concern regarding the use of melatonin by people with diabetes. For more details – as well as other concerns with melatonin – see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for Melatonin.

Melatonin for Sleep and Parkinson's

June 05, 2020

Melatonin is known to trigger sleep, but can it help people with Parkinson’s disease? See the results of the latest study in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin During Chemotherapy?

April 21, 2020

Does melatonin improve sleep quality and have other benefits during chemotherapy for breast cancer? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin and Cataracts

March 06, 2020

Do you have cataracts (clouded lenses of the eye)? A recent study suggests that having them removed and replaced with a certain type of intraocular lens may increase natural melatonin production. For details, see the ConsumerTips section of the new Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.

Is Melatonin Safe for Children?

January 27, 2020

Find out what side effects melatonin had when taken for up to two years by children and adolescents in a small study. See the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for melatonin.

Melatonin & Post-Op Delirium

October 07, 2019

Reduced melatonin levels following surgery have been implicated in the development of post-operative delirium. But does taking melatonin around the time of surgery reduce this risk? Find out in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for PCOS?

June 17, 2019

Can melatonin help women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Troubled Sleep?

March 18, 2019

Does melatonin supplementation help people with a condition involving intense dreams as well as laughing, yelling, kicking or punching during sleep? Learn what a recent study found in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin for Headaches

November 26, 2018

Recent reports suggest that melatonin, taken daily, may eliminate episodes of stabbing headache. Melatonin may also benefit people with migraine headache. For details, see the Headache section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.)

Melatonin for Fibromyalgia

November 16, 2018

Daily melatonin supplementation has been found to decrease pain and improve other symptoms of fibromyalgia. For details, see the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.)

Melatonin and Menopause

July 27, 2018

Can taking melatonin reduce the severity of menopause symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, and sweats? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Pick for melatonin.)

Melatonin and Restless Legs Syndrome

July 12, 2018

Taking a melatonin supplement can help some people fall asleep, but a study suggests that it may be a problem for people with restless legs syndrome. Get the details, and learn about potential side effects of melatonin in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review.

Melatonin for Poor Sleepers

June 19, 2018

For people who cannot fall asleep until early morning, a recent study showed some benefit with a low-dose form of melatonin. For details, see the What It Does section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks among melatonin supplements.)

Melatonin and Balance

June 01, 2018

If you take melatonin, be aware that it can potentially affect balance for a period of time, as demonstrated in a recent study. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Melatonin Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for melatonin.

Melatonin Improves Sleep in Children with Autism

November 06, 2017

Prolonged-release melatonin helped children with autism fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer in a new study. Get the details, plus more about the best way to take melatonin to get a good night's sleep, in the "What It Does" section of the Melatonin Supplements Review >> [Also see our Top Picks for melatonin supplements in the Review.]

Melatonin Increases Aggression

July 28, 2017

A study among young men found melatonin to modestly increase aggressive behavior. For more about this and other potential side effects of melatonin see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Melatonin Supplements Review (which also includes our Top Picks among products).

Melatonin vs. Light Therapy for Sleep

April 11, 2017

A recent study found that melatonin was slightly better than light therapy in helping children fall asleep. The overall results, however, may have been better with a lower dose. For details see the "What It Does" section of the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin Quality Concern

January 12, 2017

A recent Canadian study found that 71% of melatonin supplements did not contain within 10% of labeled amounts of melatonin. Certain types were more likely to be off-the-mark than others. For details, and our own tests of (U.S.) products, see the "Quality Concerns" section of the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin for Migraine

November 04, 2016

Melatonin was shown to reduce migraine headaches as well as a prescription migraine drug but with fewer side-effects in a recent study. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin for Itchy Skin

November 28, 2015

Atopic dermatitis is an itchy inflammation of the skin, affecting up to 10% of adults and 30% of children. A recent study in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis found that taking melatonin modestly reduced symptoms and, not surprisingly, reduced the time needed to fall asleep. For details about this and other uses of melatonin, as well our reviews of available melatonin supplements (including several similar to the one studied), see the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin Safety in Women

October 02, 2015

A year-long, placebo-controlled study in postmenopausal women found that moderate doses of melatonin resulted in no increase in daytime drowsiness or adverse events. Get more details and about this and other melatonin studies (and see tests of products) in the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin Helps Post-Op Sleep

September 28, 2015

A study found that giving melatonin to women significantly improved their sleep time during the weeks after breast cancer surgery. For details, including our tests of products, see the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin for Anxiety Before Medical Procedures?

September 04, 2015

Some studies in men and women show that melatonin can reduce anxiety before surgery. A recent study in children found it can also reduce the anxiety and pain associated with blood tests. For details, including dosage, evidence for other uses of melatonin, and our tests of popular products, see the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin Increases Bone Density

June 06, 2015

Research has begun to suggest that melatonin may have a positive effect on the skeleton. The latest study shows that giving post-menopausal women with bone loss daily melatonin causes small, but significant improvements in bone density. Details, including dosage, as well as our tests of melatonin supplements, are found in the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Caution Urged with Melatonin

March 02, 2015

In light of increasing use of melatonin in children, an expert is cautioning that its long-term safety has not been established and it should be used carefully. For more about this -- as well as other concerns with melatonin, its efficacy, and our reviews of melatonin supplements, see the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

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Clinical Updates

Melatonin Supplements

Melatonin Problems

November 04, 2024

Caution With Melatonin During Labor

October 28, 2024

Melatonin for Vision?

October 21, 2024

Pistachio Eye Benefits?

October 21, 2024

Melatonin After Surgery?

September 19, 2024

Melatonin for MS?

August 08, 2024

Melatonin & Vision

June 07, 2024

Melatonin & Sleep Apnea

June 04, 2024

Melatonin and Restless Legs

May 14, 2024

Melatonin After Surgery?

February 27, 2024

Melatonin for MS?

February 16, 2024

Melatonin for Brown Patches?

January 23, 2024

Melatonin Passes to Infant

December 05, 2023

Melatonin vs. Exercise

November 17, 2023

Melatonin for Menopause?

October 26, 2023

Melatonin for Reflux?

October 03, 2023

Melatonin During Breast Cancer Treatment?

September 26, 2023

Melatonin and Blood Sugar Control

August 22, 2023

Melatonin for Pelvic Pain?

June 13, 2023

Loss of Response to Melatonin

May 31, 2023

Melatonin for Hair?

May 05, 2023

Melatonin Quality

April 28, 2023

Does Melatonin Improve Cognition?

April 25, 2023

Melatonin Hangover?

March 03, 2023

Better Sleep Habits Instead of Melatonin

September 28, 2022

Vitamin C or Melatonin for COVID?

August 05, 2022

Melatonin for MS?

June 21, 2022

Melatonin Poison Reports Jump

June 03, 2022

Melatonin and Urinary Frequency

May 27, 2022

Melatonin to Prevent COVID?

March 01, 2022

Melatonin and Heart Palpitations?

March 01, 2022

Melatonin & COVID

February 11, 2022

Melatonin, Sleep & Nighttime Asthma

January 20, 2022

Fracture Risk with Melatonin Supplements?

December 02, 2021

Does Melatonin Increase Alzheimer’s Risk?

November 17, 2021

When Melatonin Does or Doesn't Help in Hospitals

November 04, 2021

Melatonin in Nuts?